Page:H. D. Traill - From Cairo to the Soudan Frontier.djvu/43

Rh pass one in a few minutes. Do you see her search-light?"

At this distance it looks a mere mass of silver haze; but it grows sharper and clearer as we approach, and in a little while we can make out the dim outline of the great ship that carries it. Higher and higher she seems to rise as we approach, and her squat funnels begin to shape themselves in the luminous mist. Another minute or two and we are alongside; and, though the Sumatra is assuredly no cock-boat, the ship we are passing seems to tower above us, a huge black wall with motionless figures gazing at us over its battlements. Inquisitive passengers hail these apparitions from our side with inquiries as to name and nationality of the vessel, but they vouchsafe no reply. Again and again the question is repeated, but still no answer. This is absurd, since everybody understands the English language; it even seems uncanny. Not a sound comes from them, not a limb stirs, not a footfall is heard